The Louisiana College Wildcats traveled to Alpine, Texas, to face the newcomers to American Southwest Conference men's soccer, Sul Ross State Lobos in a must-win matchup. An offensive display in the second half gave LC enough to escape with a 4-3 decision. The Wildcats return home next week for their final two home games of the season.
The Lobos struck first in the 19th minute, beating
Evan Barker with a chip over his head. The lead did not last long for the Lobos, two minutes later
Gabriel G. Lopes tied the game at one. Using an SR foul to set himself up outside the 18-yard box, Lopes bent a left footed shot over the wall for his fourth goal of the season.
After the first 45 minutes, both teams were locked in 1-1. Starting the second half with a bang, Lopes again used a free-kick to add to LC's score. Lopes found
Leo Osawa with a well-weighted ball setting him up for a hard shot finish for the second score in the 46th minute.
LC continued to use the fast start to extend their lead in the 47th minute.
Jason Rodriguez collected the ball and went to goal, chipping Frank Rodriguez for the third score, the second in less than two minutes.
The LC momentum quickly disappeared in the 52nd minute after a penalty kick went to the Lobos. Sul Ross cut the lead to one after successfully converting the penalty kick.
The pk was soon forgotten,
Jay Pinto made it four in the 62nd minute, getting behind
Leo Urumovski's pass and firing off a hard ground shot past Rodriguez.
Moments later in the 67th minute, both teams would lose a player to a red card decision, forcing both to finish the game out with ten players.
The Lobos did not quit, inching within one after an excellent finish in the 79th minute, but the goal would be too little too late. LC held on and secured their second win in a row, the first time since 2014, and also their second ASC win in a row, the first time since 2013, (the only time appearing in the conference tournament).
"It was a huge win for our playoff hopes," Head Coach
Claudy St. Louis stated after the game, "we fought hard and got the three points... [giving] us good momentum going into the final stretch so hopefully we can win some more games and make the conference tournament."
The Wildcats return home next week for the final two home games of the season against LeTourneau University Thursday afternoon and then against East Texas Baptist University Saturday afternoon.
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